Realty One

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

ARGOS FIRE GM JIM BARKER

The Toronto Argonauts relieved general manager Jim Barker of his duties on Tuesday.

In his second stint with the team, Barker has been with the Argos since 2010.

Barker started as head coach of the Double Blue in 2010, was promoted to head coach and general manager for the 2011 season, and relinquished the head coaching job in 2012, hiring Scott Milanovich.

Barker and Milanovich led the Argos to victory in the 100th Grey Cup in 2012. It’s unclear if this move affects Milanovich’s standing as head coach.

Barker, who also coached the Argos in 1999, finished with a 15-21 record as head coach for the Argos from 2010-11, and a 49-59 record as general manager from 2011-2016. He was named CFL Coach of the Year in 2010.

So you have a high priced, "older" QB that is often injured. Is it worse to keep him when you have very capable backups (Collaros or Harris under Barker), or to get rid of him when you have unproven backups (under Jones).

Best case scenario for Riders: Tillman gets the GM job. Tillman trades Ricky Ray to the Eskimos for a draft choice. Eskimos with a good insurance at back-up QB now trade Franklin to the Riders for a draft choice and wide receiver Caleb Holley.